System for selectively disabling cell phone text messaging function

ABSTRACT

A selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system prevents a vehicle occupant from text messaging while driving. Other occupants of the vehicle can text message using their cell phones. The driver&#39;s cell phone text messaging functionality is turned off by a signal broadcasting system as the driver enters the vehicle through the driver-side door. When the driver exits the vehicle through the driver-side door, the cell phone resumes its texting capability, preserving text messaging functionality while the driver is not operating the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cell phone system; and moreparticularly, to a system and method for inhibiting the sending of textmessages from a cell phone by a driver operating a motor vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of prior art disclosures are related to the use of a cell phonein an automobile. Cell phones taught by these disclosures are generallyconnected by wire to a remote speaker and a microphone, permitting thephone to be used for telephone conversations while driving without beinghand-held. Alternatively, a number of cell phone devices available inthe market have Bluetooth® capability. These cell phones communicatewirelessly with a remote speaker and microphone, thereby enabling handsfree cell phone conversations while driving. Today, personal digitalassistants such as Blackberry™ and iPhone™ devices integrate thefunctionality of a personal digital assistant (PDA), an MP3 musicplayer, and a cell phone in a single device. Some of these integrateddevices can communicate to external devices using an infrared datastream communication similar to a remote control for a television. Suchremote control devices have also been available with PALM™ personaldigital assistants. Users of these devices can send address data fromone PDA to another.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,114 to Dowens, et al. discloses a method andapparatus for relaying telephone communications. This telecommunicationrelay device relays communication from a first party to at least onesecond party, who may use terminals of different types such as telephonestations, text telephones, two-way pagers, personal digital assistantswith communication capabilities, data network terminals, etc. Thetelecommunication relay device converts text received from textterminals into voice for voice terminals and converts voice to text andvice versa. The telecommunication relay device also permits the firstparty to leave messages for other parties. In addition, thetelecommunication relay device may open a private chat room to allowcommunication between data network terminals and telephone stations, forexample. The telecommunication relay device may also provideconferencing capability where the conferees may use different typeterminals. With such devices, cell phone text entry is not disabled whendriving an automobile.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,417 to Slemmer, et al. discloses car-safe messaginginterfaces for interactive pagers and related methods. The messaginginterface may be used in conjunction with interactive pagers andincludes a housing that contains a message processing circuit, a userinterface, and a communications circuit that is used to forward the textmessages between the message processing circuit and an interactivepager. The user interface may be used to forward messages between a userof the interactive pager and the message processing circuit. The userinterface comprises a microphone located within the housing. The userinterface is configured to convey an audio message received via themicrophone and the message processing circuit; it includes a voicerecognition circuit that converts the audio message into a text message.A communications circuit coupled to the message processing circuit isconfigured to convey the text message from the message processingcircuit to the interactive pager. In operation of the system disclosedby the '417 patent, text entry in the cell phone is not disabled whiledriving.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,272 to Ackley discloses a cell phone parentalcontrol method. Usage of a networked wireless device, including incomingcommunications, outgoing communications, text messaging and applicationlaunching, is controlled remotely. Controlling entities, such as parentcellular telephones or web sites, are provided with the ability toselect a list of approved anytime incoming communications, or approvedincoming and outgoing communications based on time and day. Incomingcommunications include text messaging and telephone calls. Further, thecontrolling entity is provided with the ability to reroute to thecontrolling entity any usage of the wireless device such as incomingcommunications, outgoing communications, and application launching.Access to usage logs of the wireless device is provided to thecontrolling entity. The parental control is enabled by the parentcontrol device sending an SMS message to the child's wireless device.There is no indication that the driver of an automobile is disabled fromentering text messages.

US Patent Application No. 20030100337 to Chotkowski, et al. discloses awireless device for broadcasting information and related method for usewith mobile wireless devices. A wireless device is provided forbroadcast of information comprising a medium; a means for storinginformation on said medium; and a means for transmitting the informationon said medium to various access points including a desktop personalcomputer, a handheld computer, a cellular phone or other mobile wirelessdevices. A related system and method for broadcasting information fromthe wireless device is also included. The broadcast information is data,not a command for shutting off text message capability of a cell phoneused by a driver of an automobile.

In spite of all these advanced cell phone features, there remains a needin the art for a feature operative to disable use of the text messagingfeature of a cell phone while driving. During text entry, the driverfrequently takes his eyes off the road to assure that correct text isentered. The texting operation is widely regarded as being even moredistracting than speaking in a hand-held cell phone. While manyjurisdictions have already instituted laws prohibiting talking on ahand-held cell phone while driving, the problem of drivers textmessaging has yet to receive as much attention. This may, in part, bedue to a lack of practical means to control or regulate text messagingby drivers. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for cell phonedevices that can be disabled for text entry while driving, yet areavailable for text entry during all other times. Such a device wouldimprove driver safety and the safety of others on the road.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system that selectively disables thetext messaging functionality of a cell phone carried by a driver duringoperation of a motor vehicle. The driver ordinarily accesses the vehiclethrough the door nearest the operating controls. A signal broadcastingsystem has an antenna or infrared light source that emits signals in atransmission zone proximate this door. For example, the emitter may bepresent within the driver-side automobile doorframe. The system isactivated each time the driver door is opened. In some embodiments, thissignal broadcasting system broadcasts a simple signal. In otherembodiments the signal further includes a security authentication code.When the signal is received by an appropriate sensor embedded in thecell phone, it interprets the first simple broadcast signal to turn offthe text messaging functionality of the cell phone; thereafter, thesecond simple broadcast signal is interpreted to turn on the textmessaging functionality of the cell phone.

Some embodiments further include one or more security authenticationcodes, which may be stored both in the signal broadcasting system andcell phone random access memory when the driver enters the car door.When the signal broadcasting system sends the second broadcast signalduring exit of the driver from the vehicle, the same securityauthentication code stored in memory is included. The cell phoneverifies the security authentication codes match prior to turning on thetext messaging functionality of the cell phone. Software present in thecell phone processes the receipt of the signal from the broadcast deviceand disables/enables the text messaging capability of the cell phone ina sequential manner. In addition, the cell phone and the signalbroadcasting system optionally turn on a dashboard indicator light inthe automobile and an indicator light in the face of the cell phone toindicate that the text messaging function is turned off. A driverlooking at the cell phone and/or the dashboard of the automobile canclearly see that the text messaging function is turned off. When thetext messaging function is turned on by the second passage of the cellphone through the driver-side doorframe, both the indicator lights areturned off.

The broadcasting device may communicate with the cell phone by a numberof communication means, including a modulated radio frequencycommunication, low power piconet personal area network herein afterreferred to as Bluetooth® communication or modulated infraredcommunication. This broadcast signal may be a simple broadcast signal ormay contain one or more security authentication codes. Infraredcommunication generally requires line of sight view of the cell phonewhile the modulated RF broadcast or Bluetooth® communication workswithout the need for direct line of sight view. Since the broadcast unitis only active when the driver's entry door into the automobile is open,and the signal generated has to work only in a very short range ofeffectiveness, so the power needed is minimal. Cell phones belonging topassengers entering the automotive through doors other than driver-sidedoor do not receive the broadcast signal, with the result that the textmessaging functionality of these cell phones is not disabled. Entrydoors of passengers do not have a broadcasting device incorporated inthe doorframe. Consequently, the text messaging function of thesepassenger cell phones remains intact.

If a passenger were to pass a cell phone to the driver with the textmessaging function enabled, and the driver subsequently exited thedriver-side door way with the cell phone, the text messaging function ofthe cell phone would be disabled, since the cell phone would be passingthrough the driver-side doorframe for the first time. This creates amajor problem for the passenger's cell phone text messagingfunctionality. The cell phone indicator light would illuminate and, solong as the cell phone remained outside the vehicle, the text messingfunctionality could not be restored. This is especially the case when anauthentication code is broadcast and stored in the cell phone and thesignal broadcasting system. That feature of the system provides a validincentive for a passenger to refrain from passing a cell phone to adriver while an automobile is being driven. The passenger cell phonetext messaging capability could be reactivated by removing the batteryor by executing a format/erase procedure of the cell phone random accessmemory. Both these operations are cumbersome and time consuming since asignificant number of entries must be typed back into the cell phone.This system feature discourages a passenger from passing a textmessaging function active cell phone to a driver of an automobile. Thesignal broadcasting system is reset by pressing a reset button. In anycase, the passengers can send a text message on behalf of the driverwhen the automobile is being driven.

Optionally, the cell phone signal detection capability may be keptpermanently turned on even when the cell phone is turned to anoff-status. The cell phone antenna or infrared signal receiving sensorreceives the signal from the antenna as the driver enters the opendriver side door, even if the phone is ostensibly turned off. Aninterrupt is set in the CPU of the microprocessor of the cell phone sothat when it is powered to an on-status, the interrupt disables the textmessaging functionality of the cell phone that was initially turned off.If the driver were to exit the automobile through the drive side doorwithout ever turning on the cell phone, the signal from the doorwayantenna of the driver side of the automobile would again be received bythe cell phone sensor and be processed to clear the interrupt that wasinitially set, thereby enabling text messaging functionality of the cellphone when the driver turns on the cell phone outside the automobile.

Briefly stated, one aspect of the invention involves a system thatdisables selectively the text messaging functionality of a cell phoneduring driving of an automobile. The system comprises a signalbroadcasting system and a cell phone. The cell phone includes aselectively deactivatable text messaging functionality and comprises asensor adapted to receive characteristic signals from the signalbroadcasting system and a central processing unit (CPU) in communicationwith the sensor. The cell phone CPU includes an internal memoryconfigured to store machine executable instructions. The CPU is operableto execute these instructions to detect and process the characteristicsignals and to enable and disable the text messaging functionality. Thesignal broadcasting system comprises an emitter configured to emitcharacteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate the driver door.It is activated upon each opening of said driver door, and emits firstand second characteristic signals during alternate activations.

The cell phone is configured to: (i) detect the first characteristicsignal received by the sensor; (ii) disable the text messagingfunctionality in response to detection of the first characteristicsignal; (iii) thereafter to detect a second characteristic signalreceived by the sensor; and (iv) re-enable the text messagingfunctionality in response to detection of the second characteristicsignal. As a result, the driver of the motor vehicle is inhibited fromtext messaging while driving to thereby provide a higher level of safetyfor the driver and others on the roadway, and cell phones of passengersentering the automobile through doors other than the driver-side doorhave text messaging functionality available.

In different embodiments, the signal broadcasting system may comprise:(i) a wire loop antenna embedded in the driver-side doorframe thatbroadcasts a modulated radio frequency signal and a sensor in a cellphone having a radio frequency receiving antenna; (ii) a short rangeBluetooth® modulated signal generator mounted on the driver-sidedoorframe that broadcasts a low signal power modulated signal and thesensor in the cell phone is a Bluetooth® receiver; (iii) a modulatedinfrared signal generator mounted on the driver-side doorframe and thesensor in the cell phone is an infrared receiver. The infrared signalbased system requires a line of visibility of the cell phone to thesignal broadcasting device. An article of clothing may not adequatelyshadow the signal from getting through to the cell phone. Optionally,the broadcast signal may include one or more dynamically generated orstatic security authentication codes which are needed to turn off orturn on the cell phone text messaging functionality of the cell phone asthe driver enters and exits the automobile through the driver-side door.In this case, the one or more security codes are stored in the randomaccess memory of the cell phone's solid-state memory as well as itssystem broadcast memory. The broadcast signal means is only provided onthe driver-side door of the automobile and as a result a cell phonebrought into the automobile through other doors, such as those belongingto the passengers in the automobile, will not have the text messagingfunctionality disabled.

In operation, when a driver enters the automobile through thedriver-side door, the signal broadcast system is activated and sends alow power local signal to the cell phone. The sensor provided in thecell phone receives the broadcast signal and processes the signal toturn off the text messaging capability of the cell phone when the drivergets into the car seat of the automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages willbecome apparent when reference is made to the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention and theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote similarelements throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a first embodiment of the invention wherein thedriver-side doorframe of the automobile has a coil broadcasting amodulated radio frequency signal;

FIG. 1B illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein thedriver-side doorframe of the automobile has an antenna broadcasting amodulated low signal strength Bluetooth® signal;

FIG. 1C illustrates a third embodiment of the invention wherein thedriver-side doorframe of the automobile has an infrared light emittingdiode broadcasting a modulated infrared signal;

FIG. 2 illustrates the coil of the first embodiment, showing aconcentrated magnetic field in the central region of the radio frequencygenerating coil and magnetic flux line returning through the door frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cell phone provided with a sensor for receivingsignals from a signal broadcasting system;

FIG. 4A illustrates a sequence of events as a driver enters anautomobile through the driver-side door, causing the cell phone textmessaging functionality to be turned off;

FIG. 4B illustrates a subsequent sequence of events as a driver exitsthe automobile through the driver-side door, causing the cell phone textmessaging functionality to be turned on;

FIG. 5A illustrates a sequence of events as a driver enters anautomobile through the driver-side door, causing the signal broadcastingsystem to emit a signal that includes one or more securityauthentication codes and the cell phone text messaging functionality tobe turned off; and

FIG. 5B illustrates a subsequent sequence of events as the driver exitsthe automobile through the driver-side door, causing the signalbroadcasting system to emit a signal that includes one or more securityauthentication codes and that are verified by the cell phone, so thatand the cell phone text messaging functionality is turned on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and method for inhibiting theoperation of a cell phone by the operator of an automobile or othermotor vehicle by selectively disabling the phone's text messagingfunctionality. The present system and method pertain to cell phones ofany type that provides text messaging capability, including a standardcell phone, a cell phone with integrated MP3 player, a cell phone thatis also a personal digital assistant, or a cell phone with a digitalstill or video camera capability, or a cell phone with any combinationof the aforesaid features. Cell phones with such a combination offeatures include devices sold under the trade names iPhone™ andBlackberry™

It will be understood that the present text message disabling functionmay be implemented in connection with a wide range of motorizedvehicles, including passenger cars, busses, trucks, off-road vehicles,heavy machines, or the like, as well as trains. As used herein, the term“driver” is thus to be understood as the operator of any vehicle of theaforementioned types, and is not limited to the operator of a passengerautomobile.

Specifically, the cell phone text messaging capability is turned offonly for the driver, while this feature is preserved for all otheroccupants of the vehicle. The functionality of the present systemdiscourages passengers from passing a text messaging enabled cell phoneto the driver, because in such cases, the cell phone text messagingcapability may be disabled if the driver exits the automobile throughthe driver-side door carrying the passenger's cell phone.

Many jurisdictions have enacted laws prohibiting drivers from conversingusing a hand-held cell phone. This sanctioned activity is considered tobe dangerous and distracting. Tickets are issued for such misconduct.However, few jurisdictions have enacted comparable laws prohibiting adriver from for text messaging with a cell phone. In many respects, textmessaging is believed to entail an even higher, on-going level ofdistraction than carrying on a voice telephone call, as a drivertypically must look repeatedly at the keypad and screen of the cellphone to make sure that text is typed correctly. This requires thedriver to take their eyes off the road, creating a distraction and ahazardous situation. In fact, cell phone text messaging is believed tobe far more dangerous than vocal communications by drivers throughhand-held cell phones. U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,417 to Simmer, et al.discloses a device that converts spoken words to a text message. Evenwith this disclosed device, the driver still has to look at the screenof the cell phone to assure that correct text is captured by the cellphone. Moreover, the device disclosed by the '417 patent does notprevent the driver from text messaging.

Briefly stated, the invention provides a system and method wherein acell phone's text messaging functionality is selectively disabled forthe driver of a motor vehicle.

An embodiment of the present system for selectively disabling a cellphone's text messaging function generally comprises: (i) a signalbroadcasting system including an emitter disposed near or within adriver-side doorframe of a vehicle; (ii) a cell phone having a sensorresponsive to the signal emanating from the signal broadcasting systemand a central processing unit (CPU) programmed in software or hardwarewith executable instructions for processing signals received from thesignal broadcasting system through the sensor. The signal broadcastingsystem in activated each time the driver's door is opened to emit apredetermined, characteristic signal. The cell phone CPU acts toselectively disable a text messaging functionality of the cell phoneupon a first detection of the predetermined signal and to restore thetext messaging functionality at the next successive detection of thepredetermined signal. In this manner, the system operates to deactivatea cell phone carried by a driver entering the vehicle and thereafter torender the phone fully operational for text messaging after the driverleaves the car seat and exits the vehicle through the driver-side door.

Mechanisms suitable for carrying out the signal broadcasting functioncan include any one of the following: (i) a wire loop antenna embeddedin the driver-side doorframe and configured to broadcast a modulatedradio frequency signal to a sensor comprised of a radio frequencyreceiving antenna in the cell phone; (ii) a short range,Bluetooth®-modulated signal generator mounted in or near the driver-sidedoorframe that broadcasts a low signal power modulated signal adapted tobe received by a Bluetooth®-enabled cell phone; or (iii) a modulatedinfrared signal generator mounted on or near the driver-side doorframethat transmits a signal to a sensor comprised of an infrared receiver inthe cell phone. The infrared signal based system requires a line ofvisibility of the cell phone to the signal broadcasting device. Anarticle of clothing may not adequately shadow the signal from gettingthrough to the cell phone and will still enable the turning off the cellphone text messaging functionality. Each of the foregoing communicationmechanisms provides for a suitable modulation to form an identifiable,predetermined characteristic transmitted signal.

The Bluetooth® protocol, promulgated by the Bluetooth Special InterestGroup (SIG) trade association, provides a standard widely used forshort-range, bi-directional wireless communication between electronicdevices. This creates a piconet of personal area network accessed bymany users and various devices. Many current cell phones includeBluetooth® capabilities, which are most commonly used to permit wirelesscommunication between the phone and a small headset providing amicrophone and an earphone for hands-free telephone conversation.

Other forms of wireless, electromagnetic transmission that permitsignals to be exchanged between the cell phone and hardware present inthe vehicle can also be used to implement the signal broadcastingfunction used in the present system and method.

Optionally, the broadcast signal includes one or more static ordynamically-generated security authentication codes to provide anadditional measure of security and reliability in automatically causingthe text messaging functionality of a cell phone to be turned off and onas a driver respectively gets into and out of an automobile through thefront, driver-side door. Preferably, the one or more security codes arestored in a random access memory of the cell phone and in the memory ofthe signal broadcasting system.

The signal broadcast system preferably is configured to broadcast withina range such that only cell phones extant near the driver-side door ofthe automobile receive and respond to the deactivation/activationsignal. Consequently, cell phones brought into the automobile throughother doors, such as those utilized by the passengers in an automobile,will not have their text messaging functionality affected.

Thus, when a driver enters the automobile through the driver-side door,the broadcast signal system is activated and sends a low power, localsignal to the cell phone. This signal broadcasting system is local,meaning that it is only effective at or near the front, driver-side doorof the automobile. Without being bound by any theory, it is believedthat in the case of the modulated radio frequency signal of the firstembodiment, the coil configuration focuses the modulated radio frequencysignal within the doorframe of the driver-side door. The return path ofthe magnetic flux field passes through the ferromagnetic doorframe.Hence, the signal broadcast is too weak to be effective elsewhere, suchas at the door opening directly behind the driver-door opening. Withthis arrangement, the text messaging functionality is not deactivatedfor cell phones passed through any of the doors of the automobile otherthan the driver-side door.

A sensor within the cell phone receives the broadcast signal andprocesses the signal to turn off the cell phone's text messagingcapability when the driver that carries it enters the vehicle throughthe driver-side door. When the driver exits, the text messaging functionis re-enabled.

Typically the functioning of a cell phone is controlled by a centralprocessing unit (CPU), which may take the form of a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or an application-specific integrated circuit. The cellphone normally includes an internal memory, which is often implementedusing semiconductor flash or random access memory. Other memory forms,including magnetic and magnetooptical memories, may also be used.

There is a small chance that a passenger may possess a cell phone whosetext messaging functionality has not disabled, and may pass that cellphone to a driver. This behavior is discouraged by an optional featureof the signal broadcasting system. As noted, the signal broadcastingsystem broadcasts a simple signal to sequentially turn the textingfeature off and on. The signal broadcasting system optionally includesone or more security authentication codes in the signal it broadcasts.This authentication code may be dynamically generated. That is to say,every other time the signal broadcasting system is activated, it selectsa new security authentication code and stores it in a memory storageunit incorporated in the automobile signal broadcast system. This codemay be generated at random or selected sequentially or randomly from afinite repertoire of stored, predetermined choices. At the nextactivation, when the driver opens the door to exit the vehicle, thesignal broadcast system again includes the same security authenticationcode in its transmission. In a similar manner, the cell phone alsostores the security authentication code in its internal memory; uponreceipt of the second signal from the signal broadcasting unit, the CPUcompares the new authentication code with the first, stored code, andreactivates the cell phone text messaging function if the codes match.

The status of the cell phone's text message deactivation function isoptionally indicated by indication means, such as indicator lightsassociated with either or both of the vehicle and the cell phone itself.After the signal broadcasting system is activated and the cell phone ispassed through the driver-side automotive door, these indicator lights,if present, are both illuminated. Thereafter, when the driver exits thedriver-side automobile door, the signal broadcasting system is againactivated and the cell phone passes through the driver-side automobiledoor for a second time, and in response, both indicator lights areturned off, indicating that the system is ready to communicate with thisor another cell phone and to cause deactivation of its text messagingfunctionality.

If a passenger passes a cell phone to the driver and the driver thenexits the driver-side door with a passenger's telephone, its cell phonetext messaging capability will be turned off. In that case, the systemmay consider this as a second passage of the driver's cell phone, whichhas the indicator light lit; and which, when contrary to the dashboardindicator light, indicates that there is a problem within the system.The signal broadcasting system has to be reset by pushing a resetbutton. The driver's cell phone, as well as the passenger's cell phone,may have to be initialized to erase the phone's internal memory. Thismay be done by removing the battery or activating a reset function, suchas by entering one or more pre-selected keystrokes on the phone'skeypad, which causes the phone's internal memory to be reset. Bothactions require some effort and would likely discourage a passenger frompassing a cell phone with an enabled text messaging, function to thedriver. Instead, the driver will choose to request the passenger to senda text message to the party involved in lieu of the driver, and thisaction increases the safety margin for both the driver and others on theroad.

FIG. 1A illustrates a first embodiment of the invention generally at10A, wherein a coil 13 is disposed in the doorframe of the driver-sidedoor 12. Coil 13 is configured to broadcast a modulated radio frequencysignal. This signal is largely localized within the doorframe. Theautomobile includes a driver-side automobile door shown in the openposition at 12; a door directly behind the driver is shown at 11. Inthis embodiment, the sensor in the cell phone is designed to receive thebroadcast modulated radio frequency signal emanating from coil 13.

FIG. 1B illustrates a second embodiment of the invention generally at10B, wherein the driver-side doorframe of the automobile has an antenna14 operating in accordance with a Bluetooth® protocol to broadcast alow-power modulated Bluetooth® signal. This signal is largely localizedwithin the driver-side doorframe. The cell phone in this embodiment isequipped to receive the Bluetooth® modulated signal broadcast by antenna14.

FIG. 1C illustrates a third embodiment of the invention at 10C, whereinthe driver-side doorframe of the automobile has an infrared source, suchas light emitting diode 15 emitting a modulated infrared signal. Theemitting source is configured such that the light it produces islocalized within a small region proximate driver-side doorframe. Asensor in the cell phone used in this embodiment is designed to receivethe modulated infrared signal. The modulated infrared communicationrequires a direct line of view from the signal broadcasting infraredemitting diode to the cell phone. This signal is generally large enoughto go through articles of clothing, such as a shirt pocket, in which adriver's cell phone might be carried.

FIG. 2 illustrates at 20 the coil of the first embodiment showing aconcentrated magnetic field 21 in the central region of the radiofrequency generating coil. The returning magnetic flux lines 22 returnthrough the doorframe 23. Since the door frames are made from steel, aferromagnetic material, the return magnetic fields are largely containedwithin the door frame of door 12 and do not escape to the doorframe 11directly behind the driver.

FIG. 3 illustrates generally at 30 a cell phone 31 useful in connectionwith the present system. Phone 31 includes a sensor 33 adapted toreceive a signal broadcast by the device attached, or in closeproximity, to the frame of front driver-side door 12. The type of sensorused is chosen to make it responsive corresponds to the broadcast meanschosen. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the sensormust be of a type adapted to respond to a modulated radiofrequencysignal, a low power modulated Bluetooth® antenna signal, or a modulatedinfrared signal, respectively. When the cell phone text messagingfunctionality is turned off, optional light 32 is turned to indicate thestatus of the cell phone.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the sequence of events in an embodiment ofthe present method. FIG. 4A illustrates at 40 a first portion of thesequence. The opening of the front, driver-side door of the vehicletriggers the signal broadcast system to emit its signal. For example,vehicles ordinary include a doorframe switch used to activate internallights. The same contact closure also can be used to trigger the presentsystem broadcasting function. It is preferred that the signalbroadcasting system normally be turned off to save battery power, exceptwhen the driver-side front door is opened. When activated by the openingof the door, the signal broadcasting system broadcasts a signal, such asthe modulated radio frequency signal, the low power modulated Bluetooth®signal, or the modulated infrared signal discussed above. This signal isreceived by a sensor 33 of the appropriate type provided within the cellphone and forwarded to a central processing unit (CPU) of the cellphone, which is configured to execute machine instructions that detectand process this signal and, in response, to disable the text messagingfunctionality of the cell phone. The cell phone CPU turns on optionalindicator light (32 of FIG. 3) to indicate to the driver the status ofthe cell phone. Optionally, the system also turns on a car dashboardlight indicating the status of the system—that the signal broadcastingsystem has been activated to broadcast the first characteristic signaland cause a cell phone passing through the driver-side door to have itscell phone text messaging functionality turned off.

FIG. 4B illustrates at 41 a complementary second portion of the sequenceof events initiated when the driver exits the automobile through thedriver-side door. When the driver opens the door to exit, the signalbroadcasting system is again activated as shown. The signal therebyemitted is received by sensor 33 within the cell phone and is forwardedto the CPU of the cell phone, which is programmed to execute machineinstructions that detect and process this signal to re-enable the textmessaging functionality of the cell phone. The cell phone CPU turns offthe indicator light (32 of FIG. 3) and the dash indicator light isextinguished.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the sequence of events in another embodiment ofthe present method. FIG. 5A illustrates at 50 a first portion of thesequence of events, wherein the driver enters the automobile through thedriver-side door and the cell phone text messaging functionality isturned off in response. In this embodiment, the signal broadcastingsystem includes in its signal one or more security authentication codes.When the driver-side front door is opened, the signal broadcastingsystem is activated as shown. The signal broadcasting system is normallyturned off to save battery power, except when the driver-side door isopened. The signal broadcasting system broadcasts its signal, which maybe a modulated radio frequency signal, a low power modulated Bluetooth®signal or a modulated infrared signal. The signal additionally includesa security code, illustratively shown in FIG. 5A as “11234.” This codemay be a static code associated with the particular system or adynamically generated random number. This signal is received by sensor33 provided within the cell phone and is forwarded to the CPU of thecell phone, which is programmed with machine instructions that recognizethe signal, including the code, and process it to disable the textmessaging functionality of the cell phone. Both the cell phone CPU andthe system memory may store the security authentication code. As before,the cell phone CPU turns on an indicator light (32 of FIG. 3) toindicate to the driver the status of the cell phone and a car dashboardlight is turned on.

FIG. 5B illustrates at 51 a complementary second portion of the sequenceof events as the driver exits the automobile through the driver-sidedoor. In this case, the signal broadcasting system adds a securityauthentication code and the cell phone text messaging functionality isturned on. When the driver opens the door to exit, the signalbroadcasting system is activated as shown. The signal broadcastingsystem is normally turned off, saving battery power except when thedriver-side door is opened. The signal broadcasting system broadcastsits signal, which may be a modulated radio frequency signal, a low powermodulated Bluetooth® signal, or a modulated infrared signal. The signaladditionally includes a security code, illustratively shown in FIG. 5Bas “11234,” which was stored in the memory of the system and the cellphone random access memory. This signal is received by sensor 33 and isforwarded to the cell phone's CPU, which is programmed with machineinstructions that recognize the signal, including the code, and processit to re-enable the text messaging functionality. The cell phone CPUverifies that the received security authentication code is identical tothat stored in the cell phone's internal memory prior to reactivatingthe text messaging functionality of the cell phone. The cell phone CPUturns off the indicator light (32 of FIG. 3) and the car dashboard lightis also turned off.

The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system of thesubject invention comprises one or more of the following salientfeatures:

-   -   i) a signal broadcasting means embedded in the driver-side        automobile doorframe broadcasting alternately an ON command        followed by an OFF command activated when the door is        driver-side opened in the form of a modulated radiofrequency        signal or a low power Bluetooth signal or a modulated infrared        signal activated only when the driver-side door is opened;    -   ii) said driver-side door being opened for the first time as the        driver enters the driver seat to drive the automobile and the        driver-side door being opened for the second time as the driver        exits the said automobile;    -   iii) a cell phone provided with appropriate sensor to receive        said broadcast signal and a central processing unit to turn off        text messaging functionality of the cell phone upon receipt of        the first broadcast signal and turn on the text messaging        functionality of the cell phone upon receipt of the second        broadcast signal;    -   iv) said cell phone and the automobile dashboard having an        indication light that is turned on to indicate when said cell        phone text messaging functionality is turned off, and turned off        when cell phone text messaging function is turned on;    -   v) said broadcast signal being a simple sequenced ON/OFF command        or sequenced ON/OFF command with one or more security        authentication codes;        whereby a text messaging functionality of the cell phone of the        driver is disabled while that of passengers entering the        automobile through doors other than driver-side door is        preserved.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be implemented invarious forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purposeprocessors, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the presentinvention may be implemented in software as an application programtangibly embodied on a program storage device. The application programmay be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitablearchitecture. The various processes and functions described herein mayeither be part of the micro instruction code or part of the applicationprogram (or a combination thereof) which is executed via the operatingsystem. In addition, various other peripheral devices may be connectedto the computer platform such as an additional data storage device and aprinting device,

It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituentsystem components and method steps depicted in the accompanying figuresmay be implemented in various hardware and software forms, the actualconnections between the system components (or the process steps) maydiffer depending upon the manner in which the present invention isprogrammed. Given the teachings of the present invention providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able tocontemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of thepresent invention.

Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will beunderstood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to, but thatadditional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to oneskilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention asdefined by the subjoined claims.

1. For use in a motor vehicle having a driver door providing access fora driver, a selective cell phone text messaging function disablingsystem, comprising a signal broadcasting system and a cell phone, andwherein: a. said cell phone has a selectively deactivatable textmessaging functionality and comprises: i. a sensor adapted to receivecharacteristic signals from said signal broadcasting system; ii. acentral processing unit in communication with said sensor and includingan internal memory configured to store machine executable instructions,said central processing unit being operable to execute said instructionsto detect and process said characteristic signals and to enable anddisable said text messaging functionality; and b. said signalbroadcasting system comprises an emitter configured to emitcharacteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate said driverdoor, said signal broadcasting system being activated upon opening ofsaid driver door, first and second characteristic signals being emittedduring alternate activations of said signal broadcasting system; and c.said cell phone is configured to: i. detect said first characteristicsignal received by said sensor; ii. disable said text messagingfunctionality in response to detection of said first characteristicsignal; iii. thereafter to detect a second characteristic signalreceived by said sensor; and iv. re-enable said text messagingfunctionality in response to detection of said second characteristicsignal, whereby a driver of said motor vehicle is inhibited from textmessaging while driving to thereby provide a higher level of safety forthe driver and others on the roadway, and cell phones of passengersentering said vehicle through doors other than said driver-side doorhave text messaging functionality available.
 2. The selective cell phonetext messaging function disabling system as recited by claim 1, whereinthe signal broadcasting system is selected from a modulatedradiofrequency signal means, a modulated low power piconet personal areanetwork signal means, or a modulated infrared light signal means.
 3. Theselective cell phone text messaging function disabling system as recitedby claim 1, wherein said broadcast signal is a simple signal thatcommands said cell phone text messaging functionality off during entrythrough said driver door and turns on said cell phone text messagingfunctionality during exit through said driver door.
 4. The selectivecell phone text messaging function disabling system as recited by claim1, wherein said first signal further includes one or more first securityauthentication codes and said second characteristic signal furtherincludes the same one or more second security authentication codes. 5.The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system asrecited by claim 3, wherein said signal broadcasting system turns on adash indicator light in the dashboard of said vehicle upon transmissionof said first characteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phoneturns on a phone indicator light in the cell phone upon receipt of saidfirst characteristic signal.
 6. The selective cell phone text messagingfunction disabling system as recited by claim 5, wherein said signalbroadcasting system turns off said dash indicator light upontransmission of said second characteristic signal and said sensorenabled cell phone turns off said phone indicator light upon receipt ofsaid second characteristic signal.
 7. The selective cell phone textmessaging function disabling system as recited by claim 4, wherein saidsignal broadcasting system turns on a dash indicator light in thedashboard of said vehicle upon transmission of said first characteristicsignal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns on a phone indicatorlight in the cell phone upon receipt of said first characteristicsignal.
 8. The selective cell phone text messaging function disablingsystem as recited by claim 7, wherein said signal broadcasting systemturns off said dash indicator light upon transmission of said secondcharacteristic signal and said sensor enabled cell phone turns off saidphone indicator light upon receipt of said second characteristic signal.9. The selective cell phone text messaging function disabling system asrecited by claim 1, wherein the cell phone sensor is permanently turnedon regardless the cell phone is turned on or turned off and the passageof a turned off cell phone that is turned off through the driver sidevehicle doorway broadcast unit sets a cell phone CPU interrupt so thatwhen the cell phone is turned on inside the vehicle, the text messagingfunctionality is turned off.
 10. The selective cell phone text messagingfunction disabling system as recited by claim 9, wherein the turned offcell phone is never turned on by the driver and is passed through thedriver side door way for a second time as the drive exits the vehicle,the cell phone sensor receives the signal from driver side doorwaybroadcast unit removing the cell phone CPU interrupt, thereby enablingthe text messaging functionality when the driver turns on the cell phoneoutside the vehicle.
 11. A method for deactivating a text messagingfunctionality of a cell phone carried by a driver operating a motorvehicle assumed to comprise: (i) a driver door providing access for thedriver and (ii) a signal broadcasting system adapted to emitcharacteristic signals in a transmission zone proximate said driverdoor, and the cell phone being assumed capable to: (i) receive andprocess the characteristic signals and (ii) selectively enable anddisable the text messaging functionality, the method comprising: a.activating said signal broadcasting system to emit a firstcharacteristic signal during a first opening of said driver door; b.first detecting with said cell phone said emission of said firstcharacteristic signal; c. disabling said text messaging functionality ofsaid cell phone in response to said first detecting of said firstcharacteristic signal; d. thereafter, activating said signalbroadcasting system to emit a second characteristic signal during thenext subsequent opening of said driver door; e. second detecting withsaid cell phone said emission of said second characteristic signal; andf. re-enabling said text messaging functionality of said cell phone inresponse to said second detecting of said emission of said secondcharacteristic signal.
 12. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein saidcell phone comprises a sensor operative to receive said characteristicsignals and a central processing unit in communication with said sensorand comprising executable instructions stored in an internal memoryoperative to enable and disable said text messaging functionality.
 13. Amethod as recited by claim 11, wherein said transmission zone isconfined to a region through which said driver enters and exits saidmotor vehicle.
 14. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein said signalis a simple signal.
 15. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein saidfirst and second characteristic signals are substantially identical. 16.A method as recited by claim 11, wherein said first characteristicsignal comprises a first authentication code and said secondcharacteristic signal comprises a second authentication code.
 17. Amethod as recited by claim 16, wherein said first detecting comprisesprocessing said first characteristic signal to recover said firstauthentication code and store it in an internal memory of said cellphone and said second detecting comprises processing said secondcharacteristic signal to recover said second authentication code, andsaid method comprises comparing said first and second authenticationcodes, and said re-enabling is carried out only if said first and secondauthentication codes match.
 18. A method as recited by claim 16, whereinsaid first and second activation codes are changed at each activation ofsaid signal broadcasting system to emit a said first characteristicsignal.
 19. A method as recited by claim 18, wherein said activationcodes are selected from a repertoire of codes stored by said signalbroadcast system.
 20. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein said cellphone comprises a phone indicator, and said method further comprisesactivating said phone indicator in response to said first detecting anddeactivating said phone indicator in response to said second detecting.21. A method as recited by claim 11, wherein said signal broadcastingsystem in said vehicle comprises a dash indicator, and said methodfurther comprises activating said dash indicator in response to emissionof said first characteristic signal and deactivating said dash indicatorin response to s emission of said first characteristic signal.
 22. Amethod as recited by claim 11, wherein said cell phone has an off-stateand an on-state and is configured to be turned reversibly from saidoff-state to said on-state by a user, said sensor and said centralprocessing unit remain operative while said cell phone is in saidoff-state, said first detecting comprises setting a CPU interrupt insaid central processing unit and said second detecting comprisesclearing said CPU interrupt, and said method further comprises disablingsaid text messaging functionality of said cell phone if said phone isturned from said off-state to said on-state while said CPU interrupt isset.
 23. A method as recited by claim 11, further comprising resettingsaid cell phone to enable said text messaging functionality, saidresetting being effected by depressing a predetermined set of one ormore keystrokes entered on a keypad of said cell phone.
 24. A method asrecited by claim 11, further comprising resetting said signalbroadcasting system such that the next activation of said signalbroadcasting system emits a said first characteristic signal.
 25. A cellphone having a selectively deactivatable text messaging functionality,comprising: a. a sensor adapted to receive characteristic signals from asignal broadcasting system; b. a central processing unit incommunication with said sensor and including an internal memoryconfigured to store machine executable instructions, said centralprocessing unit being operable to execute said instructions to detectand process said characteristic signals and to enable and disable saidtext messaging functionality; and c. and wherein said cell phone isconfigured to: i. detect a first characteristic signal received by saidsensor; ii. disable said text messaging functionality in response todetection of said first characteristic signal; iii. thereafter to detecta second characteristic signal received by said sensor; and iv.re-enable said text messaging functionality in response to detection ofsaid second characteristic signal.
 26. A cell phone as recited by claim25, further configured to detect authentication codes included in saidfirst and second characteristic signals.
 27. A cell phone as recited byclaim 26, configured to: a. detect a first authentication code includedin said first characteristic signal and a second authentication codeincluded in said second characteristic signal; and b. carry out saidre-enabling of said text messaging functionality only if said first andsecond authentication codes match.
 28. A cell phone as recited by claim25, further comprising a phone indicator configured to be activated inresponse to detection of said first characteristic signal anddeactivated in response to detection of said second characteristicsignal.
 29. A cell phone as recited by claim 25, having an off-state andan on-state and configured to be turned reversibly from said off-stateto said on-state by a user, and wherein said sensor and said centralprocessing unit remain operative while said cell phone is in saidoff-state, and said cell phone is configured such that: a. if said cellphone is in said off-state, a CPU interrupt is set in said centralprocessing unit in response to detection of said first characteristicsignal; b. said CPU interrupt is cleared in response to detection ofsaid second characteristic signal; and c. said text messagingfunctionality is disabled if said phone is turned from said off-state tosaid on-state while said CPU interrupt is set.
 30. A signal broadcastingsystem appointed to be incorporated in a motor vehicle having a driverdoor providing access for a driver and used in conjunction with a cellphone having a text messaging functionality which can be selectivelyenabled and disabled by receipt of characteristic signals, said signalbroadcasting system: a. comprising an emitter configured to emitcharacteristic signals in a transmission zone; and b. being configuredto be activated to emit first and second characteristic signals duringalternate activations, wherein said first characteristic signal isadapted to be received by said cell phone to disable its text messagingfunctionality and said second characteristic signal is adapted to bereceived by said cell phone to re-enable its text messagingfunctionality.
 31. A signal broadcasting system as recited by claim 30,wherein said signal broadcasting system emits said characteristicsignals in the form of one of a modulated radiofrequency signal, amodulated low power Bluetooth signal or a modulated infrared lightsignal.
 32. A signal broadcasting system as recited by claim 30, whereinsaid signal broadcasting system emits a modulated low power Bluetoothsignal.
 33. A signal broadcasting system as recited by claim 30, whereinsaid first characteristic signal comprises a first authentication codeand said second characteristic signal comprises a second authenticationcode.
 34. A signal broadcasting system as recited by claim 30, whereinsaid signal broadcasting system in said vehicle comprises a dashindicator that is activated upon emission of said first characteristicsignal and deactivated upon emission of said second characteristicsignal.
 35. A motor vehicle comprising the signal broadcasting system ofclaim 30, wherein said transmission zone is proximate said driver door,and said signal broadcasting system is activated by opening said driverdoor, said first and second characteristic signals being emitted duringalternate openings of said driver door.